Activewear and methods of use and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are articles of clothing and methods for manufacturing. The articles of clothing may be pants having a zipper attached to the waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants and provides an opening in the pants of at least 180 degrees. In another aspect, the methods of manufacturing pants may include attaching a zipper to a waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants. Further, the method may include attaching at least one liner to the zipper, wherein a first portion of the at least one liner attaches to a left side of the zipper and a second portion of the at least one liner attaches to a right side of the zipper.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/541,092 filed on Aug. 4, 2017 that is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to clothing, such as activewear, and methods of use and manufacture thereof, whereby the activewear, such as pants, yoga pants, sweatpants, tights, shorts, and other clothing items that cover the legs at least partially, comprises natural and/or synthetic material that have a zipper that extends from the waistband on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband on the rear side.

BACKGROUND

For dressing and undressing, clothing may contain various fastening mechanisms, such as zippers, buttons, Velcro®, hooks, ties, and otherwise. Despite the availability of fastening mechanisms, dressing and/or undressing may be cumbersome, protracted or both, especially someone is in a hurry. For instance, if someone in the middle of exercising or even in a race, then undressing to go to the bathroom and dressing thereafter may require more time and effort than desired. Although such urgency is not necessary, what is needed are improvements in clothing and methods related therefor that provide facile dressing while still providing dignity, convenience and privacy.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides for articles of clothing and methods for manufacturing the same. In one aspect, disclosed are pants that may include a waistband, and a zipper attached to the waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants and provides an opening in the pants of at least 180 degrees.

In another aspect, disclosed is a method of manufacturing pants, wherein the method may include attaching a zipper to a waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants. Further, the method may include attaching at least one liner to the zipper, wherein a first portion of the at least one liner attaches to a left side of the zipper and a second portion of the at least one liner attaches to a right side of the zipper. The method for attaching may include, for example, sewn, heat-sealed, buttoned, or otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of this disclosure are attained and may be understood in detail, a more particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows front and rear sides of pants having a zipper in a closed position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband on the rear side. The pants also show the option of having one or more pockets.

FIG. 2 shows the font side of pants having a zipper in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side and is traversing the crotch. Although not depicted, the zipper also extends to the waistband on the rear side.

FIG. 2A shows an exploded view of a portion of FIG. 2, and more specifically, FIG. 2A shows the zipper in a partially opened position on the front side of pants, wherein the zipper includes a pull having a circular shape, which in one example embodiment may include the letters Z and H. In other example embodiments, the pull may have a different shape and/or include any or no indicia thereon.

FIG. 3 shows front sides of pants having a zipper that is invisible except for the zipper's pull. These pants have different designs, including inclusion of pockets, which are optional, in different sizes and locations. Although not depicted, the zipper also traverses the crotch and extend to the waistband on the rear side.

FIG. 4 shows front and rear sides of shorts having a zipper in a closed position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband on the rear side. The zipper on the front view is covered by a flap, which is optional.

FIG. 5 shows front and rear sides of shorts having a zipper in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side and traverses the crotch. Although not depicted, the zipper also extends to the waistband on the rear side.

FIG. 6 shows an interior view from the front side of shorts having a zipper in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side and traverses the crotch. Although shown in a closed position, the zipper also extends to the waistband on the rear side. On either side of the zipper is one or more liners, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material.

FIG. 7 shows an interior view from the rear side of shorts having a zipper in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the rear side and traverses the crotch. Although not shown, the zipper also extends to the waistband on the front side. On either side of the zipper is a liner, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material.

FIG. 8 shows an interior view from the front side of shorts having a zipper in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper extends from the waistband on the front side and traverses the crotch. Although not shown, the zipper also extends to the waistband on the rear side. On either side of the zipper is a liner, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material. Furthermore, the liner may have elastomeric material at or proximate to one or more boundaries of the liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various specific embodiments, versions and examples are described now, including exemplary embodiments and definitions that are adopted herein for purposes of understanding. While the following detailed description gives specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments are exemplary only, and that the disclosure can be practiced in other ways. For purposes of determining infringement, the scope of the invention will refer to the any claims, including their equivalents, and elements or limitations that are equivalent to those that are recited.

Disclosed are clothing items that cover the legs at least partially and are collectively referred to as “pants,” although it is understood that “pants,” which may be loose or form-fitting, may include dress pants, casual pants, culottes, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, yoga pants, tights, shorts, and so forth. The pants, which comprises natural and/or synthetic material, may include a zipper, which extends from the waistband on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband on the rear side. It is understood that the zipper may include material or one or both sides of the zipper, wherein said material is for sewing, fastening, adhering or otherwise applying the zipper onto the pants. In other embodiments, the zipper may extend from just above, at, or just below the waistband on the front side, traverse the crotch, and extend to just above, at, or just below the waistband on the rear side. The zipper may be flush with the pants such that the zipper may or may not be visible, slightly raised such that the zipper may or may not be visible, and/or include a flap, such as to conceal the zipper. The zipper may also include a pull, which fingers may grasp to zip or unzip The pull may be any shape, including circular, and include indicia on one or both primary surfaces of the pull; in one instance, the pull may include “ZH” on at least one of the two primary surfaces of the pull.

One or more liners may be attached, e.g., sewn, heat-sealed, buttoned, or otherwise, to inside of the pants at one or both sides of the zipper to protect skin against scratching, chafing or rubbing by the zipper. The liner(s) may comprise natural and/or synthetic having one or more of the following characteristics: soft, stretchable, moisture-wicking, and moisture-resistant. Generally, each liner is bifurcated, i.e., half is on one side of the zipper, and another half is on the other side of the zipper, so that when the zipper is zipped, then the individual liners abut so as to appear that there is an integrated liner.

Various liners, such as ones made from mesh, polyester, elastomeric materials, cotton blends, etc., may be integrated into the pants, which may be made of the same or different materials. In one embodiment, the liner may extend slightly beyond the width of the zipper and optionally widen in the crotch area. In other embodiments, the liner may have any shape and/or extend substantially beyond the zipper. Furthermore, the liner may run the entire length of the zipper or a portion thereof, e.g., 90%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 60%, 50% or less. Additionally and alternatively, the liner may be an underwear or panty liner. As a result, there may be one or more liners beneath the zipper. In the case of multiple liners, their arrangement may be stacked, partially overlapping, or non-overlapping. Again, however, it is noted that whether there are one or more liners, the liners are bifurcated as previously explained.

In some embodiments, the pants may include one or more pockets of various size(s) and/or position(s). Such pocket(s) may serve to carry tissue for use on bathroom breaks or other countless other purposes and functions. Furthermore, the pants are designed with fashion in mind, incorporating mesh and color blocks so that in the case of tights, for instance, they are wearable for everyday activity; thus, their fashion sense distracts an observer from focusing on the pants' open-crotch zipper. To that end, tights are designed for comfort and may use a moisture resistant, sun-resistant, and/or stretchable fabric comprising of nylon, spandex, UPF30, other material(s), or combinations thereof.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows front and rear sides of pants having a zipper 1 in a closed position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband 4 on the rear side. The pants also show the options of having a pull 2 and one or more pockets 3. Furthermore, the pants show a liner 5 positioned behind the zipper 1. The liner 5 is showed in dashed lines because the liner 5 is in the interior of the pants. As can be seen, the line pointing out liner 5 touches the right side of the liner 5, but the left side also part of the liner 5.

FIG. 2 shows the font side of pants having a zipper 1 in a partially opened position 6, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side and is traversing the crotch. Although not depicted, the zipper 1 also extends to the waistband 4 on the rear side.

FIG. 2A shows an exploded view of a portion of FIG. 2, and more specifically, FIG. 2A shows the zipper 1 in a partially opened position 6 on the front side of pants, wherein the zipper 1 includes a pull 2 having a circular shape, which in one example embodiment may include the letters Z and H. In other example embodiments, the pull 2 may have a different shape and/or include any or no indicia thereon.

FIG. 3 shows front sides of pants having a zipper 1 that is invisible except for the zipper's 1 pull 2. In other embodiments, the pant's zipper 1 may be visible. FIG. 3 shows that the pants may have different designs, including inclusion of pockets 3, which are optional, and may be in different sizes and locations. Although not depicted, the zipper 1 also traverses the crotch and extend to the waistband 4 on the rear side.

FIG. 4 shows front and rear views of shorts, a type of pants as previously disclosed, having a zipper 1 in a closed position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side, traverses the crotch, and extends to the waistband 4 on the rear side. The zipper 1 on the front view is covered by a flap 7, which is optional.

FIG. 5 shows interior front and rear views of shorts having a zipper 1 in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side and traverses the crotch. Although not depicted, the zipper 1 also extends to the waistband 4 on the rear side. The shorts may include a liner 8 on either or both sides of the zipper 1. In the disclosed embodiment, the liner 8 is on both sides of the zipper 1. As can be seen, this liner 8 is or akin to an underwear or panty liner 8, and may be made from any synthetic, natural, or combination of materials.

In this embodiment, the liner 8 is attached 8′ over the interior of the short's zipper 1. In other embodiment, liner 5 in FIG. 1 may be attached between the zipper 1 and liner 8. In still other embodiments, liner 8 may be attached between the zipper 1 and liner 5. And, in still other embodiments, one or more types of liners 5, 8 occur after the zipper 1, e.g., liner 5/liner 8, liner 5 or liner 8/liner 8, liner 5, etc. Each liner 5, 8 may be made from the same or different material.

FIG. 6 shows an interior view from the front side of shorts having a zipper 1 in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side and traverses the crotch. Although shown in a closed position, the zipper 1 also extends to the waistband 4on the rear side. On either side of the zipper 1 is one or more liners 8, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material.

FIG. 7 shows an interior view from the rear side of shorts having a zipper 1 in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the rear side and traverses the crotch. Although not shown, the zipper 1 also extends to the waistband 4 on the front side. On either side of the zipper 1 is a liner 8, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material.

FIG. 8 shows an interior view from the front side of shorts having a zipper 1 in a partially opened position, wherein the zipper 1 extends from the waistband 4 on the front side and traverses the crotch 10. Although not shown, the zipper 1 also extends to the waistband 4 on the rear side. On either side of the zipper 1 is a liner 8, which may be mesh and/or an absorbent material. Further the liner 8, may include elastomeric material at or proximate to at least a portion of a boundary 9 of the liner 8. This elastomeric material may impart the security and/or feel of a liner 8 akin to the way panties or underwear operate and/or feel. The elastomeric material may be located along all boundaries of the liner 8 or any portion thereof. As a result, elastomeric material may circumscribe a person's leg(s), waist, and/or any portion thereof when such person wears pants having a liner 8 containing elastomeric material at or proximate to a boundary 9 or all boundaries of the liner 8. Furthermore, one or more liners 8 in the pants may contain elastomeric material at the respective liner's 8 boundaries or a portion thereof.

Below are example embodiments of the disclosed inventions:

-   1. Pants comprising:     -   a waistband; and     -   a zipper attached to the waistband on a front side of the pants         and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a         crotch of the pants,     -   wherein, the zipper provides an opening in the pants of at least         180 degrees. -   2. The pants of claim 1, further comprising one or more pockets on     the pants. -   3. The pants of claim 1, wherein the one or more pockets have one or     more designs. -   4. The pants of claim 1, further comprising a pull on the zipper. -   5. The pants of claim 4, further comprising indicia on a flat     surface of the pull. -   6. The pants of claim 4, wherein the pull has two flat surfaces. -   7. The pants of claim 1, further comprising a flap located on an     exterior of the pants that covers the zipper. -   8. The pants of claim 1, further comprising one or more liners     inside the pants and at least partially behind the zipper. -   9. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners is     bifurcated. -   10. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more     liners is attached to the zipper. -   11. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners comprises     panty liners or underwear liners. -   12. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners are     attachably stacked on each other. -   13. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more     liners has a uniform shape along the zipper. -   14. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more     liners has a non-uniform shape along the zipper. -   15. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more     liners is wider in the crotch. -   16. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more     liners further comprises elastomeric material at or proximate to at     least a portion a boundary of the at least one of the one or more     liners. -   17. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pants comprise dress pants,     casual pants, culottes, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, yoga pants,     tights, or shorts. -   18. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pants comprise one or more     materials selected from synthetic, natural or combinations thereof. -   19. A method of manufacturing pants, the method comprising:     -   attaching a zipper to a waistband on a front side of the pants         and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a         crotch of the pants; and     -   attaching at least one liner to the zipper, wherein a first         portion of the at least one liner attaches to a left side of the         zipper and a second portion of the at least one liner attaches         to a right side of the zipper. -   20. The method of claim 19, further comprising forming one or more     pockets on the pants. -   21. The method of claim 19, further comprising attaching a pull to     the zipper.

While the foregoing is directed to example embodiments of the disclosed invention, other and further embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, wherein the scope of the disclosed compositions, systems and methods are determined by one or more claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Pants comprising: a waistband; and a zipper attached to the waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants, wherein, the zipper provides an opening in the pants of at least 180 degrees.
 2. The pants of claim 1, further comprising one or more pockets on the pants.
 3. The pants of claim 1, wherein the one or more pockets have one or more designs.
 4. The pants of claim 1, further comprising a pull on the zipper.
 5. The pants of claim 4, further comprising indicia on a flat surface of the pull.
 6. The pants of claim 4, wherein the pull has two flat surfaces.
 7. The pants of claim 1, further comprising a flap located on an exterior of the pants that covers the zipper.
 8. The pants of claim 1, further comprising one or more liners inside the pants and at least partially behind the zipper.
 9. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners is bifurcated.
 10. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more liners is attached to the zipper.
 11. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners comprises panty liners or underwear liners.
 12. The pants of claim 8, wherein the one or more liners are attachably stacked on each other.
 13. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more liners has a uniform shape along the zipper.
 14. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more liners has a non-uniform shape along the zipper.
 15. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more liners is wider in the crotch.
 16. The pants of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more liners further comprises elastomeric material at or proximate to at least a portion a boundary of the at least one of the one or more liners.
 17. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pants comprise dress pants, casual pants, culottes, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, yoga pants, tights, or shorts.
 18. The pants of claim 1, wherein the pants comprise one or more materials selected from synthetic, natural or combinations thereof.
 19. A method of manufacturing pants, the method comprising: attaching a zipper to a waistband on a front side of the pants and on a rear side of the pants, wherein the zipper traverses a crotch of the pants; and attaching at least one liner to the zipper, wherein a first portion of the at least one liner attaches to a left side of the zipper and a second portion of the at least one liner attaches to a right side of the zipper.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising forming one or more pockets on the pants. 